CenterLines is the bi-weekly e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling &
Walking. CenterLines is our way of quickly delivering news and information
you can use to create more walkable and bicycle-friendly communities.

Bob Chauncey, NCBW's director for policy analysis, and Gary MacFadden, NCBW's director of operations, just wrapped up a week-long series of presentations and meetings in Columbia, South Carolina. The community structured its first-ever Bicycle and Pedestrian Week around presentations offered through the Active Living Resource Center (ALRC) and sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

"The overall theme of the week can be characterized as attempting to engage the entire community in a campaign to improve conditions for walking and biking," reported Chauncey. "In our presentations we discussed economic benefits of bicycle friendly and walkable communities, enforcement as it relates to bicycling and pedestrian facilities, and the need to have bike and ped considered from the outset -- the Complete Streets model -- when doing local planning."

The team also presented Safe Routes to School programs in two different neighborhoods -- one mostly middle-class, and one in a new, subsidized housing community. "The walkabouts for these two programs were very useful," MacFadden said. "It's always encouraging to discuss what potential barriers might exist, and then have the participants go out and immediately start cataloging specific barriers and how they can be fixed, often at low cost."

MacFadden added that having Patti Sistrunk, South Carolina's SRTS Coordinator, as a co-presenter was a real asset. "If someone had questions about the SRTS funding process for South Carolina, I didn't have to mumble my way through an answer," said MacFadden. "Patti knew her stuff and got the participants excited about applying for and using the available funds to make walking and bicycling better and safer for kids in Columbia."

The goal of the ALRC staff is to take lessons learned from the week and begin to fashion a process that can be implemented in other communities. "We'll stay in touch with Aaron Bell at the Central Midlands County of Governments and Natalie Cappuccio-Britt at the Palmetto Cycling Coalition -- who did the lion's share of the organizing for the week -- as well as Tom Dodds, the SCDOT bicycle-pedestrian coordinator, and many others, and determine what presentations helped to push their agendas forward the most," said MacFadden. "It can't all be done in a week, of course, but if we lit a few fuses, that's a worthwhile accomplishment."

ILLINOIS VICTORY FOR NAT'L COMPLETE STREETS MOVEMENT

-> According to an Oct. 16th National Complete Streets Coalition news release, "In near-unanimous votes, the Illinois House and Senate have overridden a gubernatorial veto to adopt a statewide complete streets law. The new law requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to include safe bicycling and walking facilities in all projects in urbanized areas, and is a victory for the movement to create complete streets that serve the needs of all road users. It is effective immediately for project planning and required in construction beginning August 2008.

"'The law is a very cost-effective way to improve safety and access for bicyclists and pedestrians,' says Randy Neufeld, Chief Strategy Officer for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. 'In the past, the state was prompted by death or injury to correct unsafe conditions on a given project. This law requires projects be built correctly the first time, which will save taxpayers' money and protect people.'

"Illinois' action makes it the first state to adopt complete streets into law since the complete streets movement began in 2003. While Governor Blagojevich had used an amendatory veto to gut AB 314, in special session both houses voted to override, the Senate unanimously (Oct 5) and the House by 109 to 3 (Oct. 10)..."

A new webinar from Cullbridge Communications (which hosted the ALRC Complete Streets webinar in July) will feature two practical approaches for getting children and youth to walk and cycle more. Dr. Catherine O’Brien will discuss the Centre for Sustainable Transportation's Child and Youth Friendly Land Use and Transport Planning Guidelines, their rationale, and her work with Ontario municipalities in implementing these guidelines. Jacky Kennedy will present highlights of Green Communities Canada’s Active and Safe Routes to School program, including related barriers and benefits, and the results achieved and lessons learned over many years of implementation. The webinar is scheduled for Friday November 9, 2007, 12 noon Eastern Time. The cost is 70 $US.
To register go to http://tinyurl.com/382de9

MARIN CO. (CA) GIVES NON-DRIVING EMPLOYEES CASH

-> According to the Oct. 11th Marin County Bicycle Coalition Weekly Bulletin, "The County of Marin is restructuring its Employee Commute Alternatives Program (ECAP) to provide additional encouragement and support to a wide group of their regular hire employees who are walking, bicycling, carpooling, vanpooling and/or using transit to commute to work. The County wants to help its employees to reduce traffic, save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from solo driving, and integrate healthy exercise into your commute.

"September 11, 2007, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved implementing a Green Commuting One Year Demonstration Program with a $4 daily incentive for commuting by means other than a single occupant motor vehicle. The Green Commuting Program will replace the previously implemented Employee Commute Alternative Program. October 7, 2007 was the first operational day of the new program.

"Awards for the 'Most Days of Participation' and the 'Most Distance Traveled' by a Green Commuter may be periodically announced. The County also provides a Guaranteed Ride Home to registered walkers, bicyclists, carpoolers, vanpoolers, and transit users in the event of an unforeseen emergency occurring during regular work hours when carpooling, vanpooling or bus transit are not available for the ride home."

-> According to an Oct. 2007 Trail Tracks newsletter article by Jim Woods, "VISIT FLORIDA, the state's official tourism marketing corporation, constantly monitors the pulse of what Sunshine State visitors desire to see and experience. One avenue for monitoring this is by tracking the information items they request when they stop at the state's official roadside welcome centers. Perched along interstates and major highways just inside Florida's border, these welcome centers serve as the first point of information for visitors arriving to the Sunshine State by car. A few years ago, an incredible thing was realized -- well, at least incredible from the perspective of the trails community. VISIT FLORIDA discovered that the number one question asked at the state's welcome centers was 'Where can I bicycle in Florida?'

"Consider this for just a moment...Tourism is king in the Sunshine State, qualifying as the biggest sector of Florida's economy and ranking the state as one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Nearly 84 million people visited Florida in 2006, based upon preliminary estimates, with an estimated economic impact of $65 billion (VISIT FLORIDA Research). People have been descending upon Florida's sands in droves since the middle of the 20th century, and in even greater earnest since a strapping young mouse named Mickey set up shop in Central Florida in the early 1970's. Theme parks, beaches, and golf have been dominant draws in Florida tourism for years. But now, a new twist: tourists seeking opportunities to explore Florida by bicycle are making themselves heard. Information about where to bicycle is now the number one requested item at visitor welcome centers in one of the biggest tourist economies on the planet."

-> An article in the Oct. 11th LivableStreets e-Bulletin asks, "What is the Boston Bikes Summit? A team of experts from around the country and the local area will descend on Boston City Hall for an intensive three day program. In addition to events open to the public, the team will hold a variety of focused technical workshops and planning sessions with Boston City Hall officials and staff on all aspects of bicycle-friendly communities. The input and feedback gathered from the public meetings and technical sessions will be distilled into a set of short-term recommendations for improving bicycling in Boston."

-> In a recent note, Deb Hubsmith, Director of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, wrote, "Thank you for reaching out to the Governor in support of this bill, which provides a framework for future funding and protects existing California SR2S funds. $52 million is currently available for California State Legislated Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Funds! Application Deadline is November 16, 2007.

"Please spread the word that funds are available for State Legislated Safe Routes to School (SR2S) projects. These funds are not to be confused with Federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funds associated with SAFETEA-LU. Applications must be for capital projects such as sidewalks, pathways, bike lanes, traffic calming, etc. (with up to 10% available for non-infrastructure activities such as education, encouragement and enforcement). Only cities and counties are eligible to compete for these funds; please spread the word to Public Works Officials.

"Approximately $52 million is available for two fiscal years worth of projects (06-07 and 07-08). The deadline for applications is Friday, November 16, 2007. Start preparing your grant applications now!"

Twenty participants dialed-in on Tuesday, October 16, for an ALRC presentation by Mark Plotz, NCBW's program manager. The presentation focused not only on the ways to identify and remove barriers to physical activity (dangerous intersections, bad or missing sidewalks, lack of bicycle facilities) in a community, but also on behavior change and implementation of policy.

“Behavior change and policy implementation often gets overlooked," said Plotz. "That’s because human behavior is very hard to change; it is easier concentrate on the infrastructure side.

Plotz added that he wanted to use the webinar venue to explore how advocates and professionals can become agenda-setters. "Part of the answer is in creating an environment that is welcoming or conducive to physical activity," Plotz said. "But local government really needs to make a commitment on this issue if change is to happen. And that commitment needs to be made on Encouragement as well as Engineering."

-> According to an Oct. 16th news release, "The Surface Transportation Policy Partnership and the Center for Neighborhood Technology are hosting the second 'From the Margins to the Mainstream' Webinar on December 6th to discuss integrating transit services into community planning and design in understandable terms for the non-technical person. Audience interaction will be a key part of this Webinar. The webinar will feature leading transportation experts as panelists, including officials from transit agencies, local land-use/planning agencies, and the developer community. STPP's and CNT's goal is to give you the tools to participate more effectively in expanding and improving transit services in your community. Please plan to join us on December 6th."

-> According to an article on the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP) website, "Transportation-related issues present a serious challenge to improving the quality of life for Mexico City's 19 million residents. Of the 2.5 million tons of pollutants emitted into the city's air each year, more than 80% come from cars and other motorize vehicles. Though only 20% of all the trips in Mexico City each day are made in cars, 80% of its physical space is dedicated to travel by car. Seven out of ten Mexican citizens are overweight or obese.

"ITDP is working with the Mexico City government to develop a Bicycle Master Plan that will strengthen cycling as a safe, attractive, healthy and convenient travel option for city residents. The goal of the Master Plan is to increase bicycle trips as a portion of all trips to 2% by 2010 and to 5% by 2012..."

-> According to an article in Mobilizing the Region edition #565, "The Tri-State [Transportation] Campaign has been criss-crossing Connecticut of late, giving presentations and handing out copies of our new fact sheet, 'It's the Sprawl Stupid! What's Driving Connecticut's Traffic Congestion.' Our work has been recognized by the ConnDOT Reform Commission, which linked to both the fact sheet and our report 'Reform: The Road Not Taken.' The Commission was set up by Gov. Rell earlier this year to reform the agency's internal structure and mission and has been holding public hearings throughout the state.

"The fact sheet explains the cycle of sprawl and congestion which has led to vast increases in Connecticut's per capita traffic delay and vehicle-miles traveled over the last two decades. It recommends that CT embrace smart growth policies and create a transit village program that would provide state funding and incentives to interested towns. ConnDOT should also shift funding from highway expansion to maintaining its aging infrastructure, and increase bicycle and pedestrian funding. The fact sheet can also be viewed on our website..."

-> According to an Oct. 8th news release, "The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) voted recently to lay a solid foundation for a more walkable and bikeable metro Atlanta region by approving a 2007 Atlanta Region Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways Plan. The study, which began in May 2006 and concluded in June 2007, includes recommended policies for local governments that, when implemented, can increase safety and accessibility region wide for bicyclists and pedestrians. A recent study (Strategies for Metro Atlanta's Transportation and Air Quality) points to the benefits of walkable communities, asserting that 37 percent of people in highly walkable neighborhoods get 30 minutes of daily moderate activity, compared to just 18 percent of people in the least walkable neighborhoods. What's more, walkable neighborhoods may reduce vehicle miles traveled by 30 to 40 percent.

"'Safe and convenient sidewalks and bike paths are the hallmark of a quality community and an antidote to traffic congestion,' said ARC Chairman Sam Olens. 'Anything we can do to encourage residents of the Atlanta region to walk and bike more is a step in the right direction, and the Atlanta Region Bicycle Transportation and Pedestrian Walkways Plan does just that.' The steering and advisory committees for the study included representatives from the Atlanta Regional Commission, Georgia Department of Transportation and the Atlanta Region Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force, which is comprised of representatives from local governments, bicycle and pedestrian interest groups, federal and state agencies and the general public.

-> According to an Oct. 16th news release, "Aaron Scheidies and Scott Rigsby are different from most Americans. They enjoy challenging themselves beyond their physical limits, pushing past the point of pain and exhaustion, and going well beyond where the average man would throw in the towel. You see, Scheidies and Rigsby are triathletes. Oh, and it just so happens that Scheidies is blind and Rigsby is a double leg amputee, but that hasn't stopped either of these triathletes from blasting misconceptions and naysayers and vaulting themselves into the record books.

"Ironically, just hours apart on Sunday, Oct. 14 they each accomplished a rare feat that has set themselves apart from other physically challenged athletes. Scheidies, 25, of Kent, Wash., became the first physically challenged athlete to break two hours in an Olympic distance triathlon, while Rigsby became the first double leg amputee to compete an Ironman event on prosthetics..."

-> "When I see poker, racecar driving and competitive eating discussed as sports, I wonder where our definition of physical activity has gone..."
-- Lee Feder, columnist, The Daily Illinihttp://tinyurl.com/ypqgkp

-> "It has long been accepted that there is no such thing as a free lunch; it is time for people to acknowledge that there is no such thing as a freeway either."
-- Building a Sustainable Transportation Financing System, p.1 (Mass. Trans. Finance Commission) 268k pdfhttp://tinyurl.com/2hv6l4

STATS R US

-> "Poor air quality is still causing hundreds of thousands of premature deaths in Europe every year and continues to damage crops and ecosystem health. The estimated annual loss of life is significantly greater than that due to car accidents."
-- European Environment Agencyhttp://tinyurl.com/39hsea

-> "When comparing the age-standardised rate of Australian-born to overseas-born people aged 65 and older, it was found that the Australian-born had a rate of 2,498.1 per 100,000, those born in the more historically traditional countries of migration (the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, the United States of America, and Canada) had a slightly lower rate of 2,070.3, and that the combination of all other countries of migration had a much lower rate of 1,788.6 hospitalised fall injuries per 100,000 population."
-- "Falls by older people and their country of birth," Injury Issues Monitor No. 39, August 2007.http://tinyurl.com/3dbsmk

IN
THE NEWS

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CASPER (WY) WEIGHS COMMUNITY WALKABILITY ISSUES

-> According to an Oct. 16th Star-Tribune article, "Connie Cropsey walks with friends in her neighborhood and walks to and from work. But she worries about her safety when drivers don't stop at crosswalks, and in the winter when plows pile snow on the sidewalks. 'The snow plows cover the sidewalks and I can't walk through,' she said Monday night at a community workshop that is part of a walkability study. She and more than 20 other Casper residents and city officials met at City Hall to begin the third stage of a study aimed at improving walking in the city. 'Out of this will come a framework type of plan to develop goals and objectives,' said Leah Reeb, Metropolitan Planning Organization planner for Casper.

"In March the Casper City Council approved nearly $50,000 for the walkability study, most of which came from the federal government. Reeb hopes the study will ultimately provide the city with a plan about how to alter current infrastructure and how to build in the future. The meeting began with a summary of what city officials know so far -- which areas are important to walkers and which areas need improvement. Every area in Casper needs some help, said Ray Moe, principal architect for LSA Associates, the Fort Collins, Colo. firm hired to complete the walkability study. 'There's not an area in town that couldn't use some pedestrian improvements,' he said..."

-> In an Oct. 16th Washington Post column, Howard Schneider wrote, "The kids ranged across ages and neighborhoods and experience levels -- from the already veteran 5-year-old rider who stands on his pedals for extra power up the hills (his parents own a bike shop), to much older kids who are still getting comfortable with the gear and the idea that you can push a bike across rocks and roots and through water without a catastrophe. What they had in common was this: On a balmy Saturday in October, they were outside on mountain bikes to tackle a few miles of trail around Lake Accotink Park in Fairfax County.

"Hardly a revolution. But consider that alongside the regular riders and budding competitive racers who had gathered for National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day were kids who knew more about navigating traffic on urban streets than crossing suburban streams. This was only 12-year-old Tiffany Jackson's second time on a trail, where the occasional fox can be seen scampering ahead under the tree canopy, but she pedaled along steadily in the middle of the pack. It's a far cry from her Southeast neighborhood, but she'd clearly taken to the thrill of it. 'I like it, and then sometimes it is a bit scary' when the trail gets steep or obstacles emerge, Tiffany said of the bike outings she has begun taking with Trips for Kids..."

[Thanks to NCBW staffer, Anne Villacres, for this story! BTW, Anne runs the Prince George's County (MD) Chapter's program on weekends.]

PALO ALTO (CA) PROMOTES WALKING, BICYCLING

-> According to a Sept. 26th Weekly article, "A coalition of health, transportation, environmental, business and neighborhood groups is sponsoring a weeklong campaign to promote walking, biking and alternative transportation in Palo Alto. Oct. 1-6 has been designated as 'Palo Alto Walks and Rolls' week. Its kick-off will be held at the Palo Alto Moonlight Run and Walk on Sept. 28. County Supervisor Liz Kniss and Palo Alto Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto, among others, will be on hand to launch the campaign.

"The week's events will include 'Walk and Roll to School' aimed at children and their parents, with various activities held at local schools; 'Walk and Roll to Lunch,' which will encourage local employees and residents to walk, bike or take transit to their midday meal at least once during the week; a 'Walkability Workshop' for neighborhood groups; and a 'Community Walk and Roll' along the Ellen Fletcher Bike Boulevard (Bryant Street) on Saturday, Oct. 6. The campaign's goal is to double or triple the habit of walking and biking in Palo Alto and create a "tipping point" of cultural change, organizers say..."

-> According to an Oct. 3rd Star article, "The Highlands Elementary School walking school buses had a few extra passengers Wednesday morning. To celebrate International Walk to School Day, one of the bus routes began at Fairway City Park and included some people who don't ordinarily walk to school. Highlands physical education teacher Michelle Lawson, who lives in Olathe, for one. And Fairway Police Chief John Simmons, for another.

"Lawson said she expected that as many as 120 Highlands kids would walk to school Wednesday, about twice as many as those who hoof it on an ordinary day. Across Kansas City, dozens of other schools offered activities in conjunction with Walk to School Day. Some events promoted physical fitness; others stressed pedestrian safety. At Highlands, the emphasis was on physical fitness, with walkers receiving a healthy breakfast of bagels and fruit when they arrived at the Mission school.

"'It was terrific,' said fifth-grader Paige Braden of both the walk and the breakfast. Highlands' walking school buses are new this year, started by the parent-led wellness and health committee. The concept is simple: Groups of students walk to school together with an adult volunteer as their leader. Organizer Kari Napier said that 50 to 60 kids participate on the three walking routes..."

-> According to an Oct. 8th Globe article, "As officials cut a ribbon tomorrow to launch construction of a 6-mile bicycle 'rail trail' from the Lowell-Chelmsford line to Westford, top state parks planners say it could be the first in a latticework of more than 100 miles of bike trails they are planning statewide. The state's parks agency, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, has mapped out a dream plan of $82 million in trails that it says would one day allow riders to bike 120 miles from Lowell to Westfield, or up the Ware River Valley almost to New Hampshire, or along the Mystic River to the beaches of Lynn.

"The plan, DCR officials say, is a blueprint that could take years, if not decades, to make a reality; rail trails -- bike paths built on abandoned rail beds -- are notoriously difficult projects to complete, with delays often caused by opposition from abutters, squabbles over funding, and plodding bureaucracies. But state officials and trail enthusiasts are feeling more optimistic than they have in years about the prospects for making the state a national showpiece for off-road biking, hiking, and rollerblading trails.

"'Bike trails involve modest investments of public resources but pay enormous dividends in public health and well being,' said state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian A. Bowles, who oversees DCR. 'A small program of investment, over time and with mostly federal dollars, can result in an extensive network of trails where citizens can walk, ride bikes, and enjoy the great outdoors.'..."

-> According to an Oct. 7th USA TODAY article, "Cities are accelerating their efforts to encourage commuting on two wheels, putting bike racks where cars once parked, adding bike lanes and considering European-style bike-share programs to get residents out of their cars. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino last month named a former national cycling champion to be the city's director of bike planning. The city is identifying the best roads for bicycling in a mapping project that cyclists eventually may be able to access online.

"It also plans to add 250 bike racks by next fall and this month will hold a summit of cycling experts to determine a long-term bike strategy. 'There's never been so much attention from cities collectively for cycling as a mode of transportation,' says Loren Mooney, executive editor of Bicycling magazine. 'Cities are recognizing that it is a realistic and inexpensive solution to a lot of different problems -- to the traffic issues, to pollution issues, to personal health issues because instead of sitting in cars for an hour you have people out burning calories.'..."

-> According to an Oct. 15th StreetsBlog article, "Indianapolis, Indiana is making what could be the boldest step of any North American city towards supporting bicyclists and pedestrians. Known as an extremely auto-oriented city, most closely associated with the Indianapolis 500, this is one of the last cities we would have expected to see systematically removing vehicle lanes and replacing them with bicycle and pedestrian space.

"The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is a bold vision for about 8 miles of separated greenway that is currently being built through the downtown core of Indianapolis. Led by the Central Indiana Community Foundation in partnership with the city, the project is a visionary response to skyrocketing obesity and the opportunity to leverage and better serve downtown infrastructure investments.

"More than just a separated bike path, the Cultural Trail is an economic development tool that will help support and connect the city's many cultural and civic destinations. It will help revitalize streets by bringing more people downtown and increasing the circulation and length of time that people spend in the central city. As it becomes part of the city, it will also enhance the public presence of existing destinations and help create many new destinations throughout the downtown..."

-> According to an Oct. 16th F,G, & T Construction News article, "The Georgia Department of Transportation used International Walk to School Day to announce its SRTS Program. The program makes $16 million in funding available in Georgia for a wide variety of programs and projects, from building safer street crossings to establishing programs that encourage children and their parents to walk and bicycle safely to school.

"Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an international movement that began in the 1970's in Denmark and quickly spread to the United States in the 1990's and is now a worldwide phenomenon. The purpose of SRTS programs is to encourage kids to walk and bike to school, and to improve safety in the vicinity of schools."

-> According to an Oct. 8th Planetizen article, "Urban development, demolition, and redevelopment has been a century-long pattern in Salt Lake City, Utah. As the city again ventures into a massive redevelopment project, former planning director Stephen Goldsmith wants the community to take a new look at what this change means for the city. And he's created a museum to help them do it. No city is a stagnant place. Shifting demographics, lifestyles, and economic trends all influence the evolution of cities as they try to accommodate the desires and demands of the urban culture. Increasingly, this evolution is playing out in the downtowns of cities across the nation. One American city exemplifying this common state of flux is Salt Lake City, Utah. After years of decline, the city looks to be on the rebound. With two major mixed-use developments taking shape, the expansion of the city's light rail system, and millions of square feet of retail and residential units planned, downtown Salt Lake City is on the operating table, opened up for a surgery that is as much cosmetic as it is preventive.

"More than 20 acres of the city's historic downtown core are currently under construction. Entire city blocks are being razed to the ground for complete remodeling. Having so much of the city's once-thriving and now struggling downtown under construction and off-limits has the tendency to keep people away. But what if, instead of keeping people away until the work is finished, the transformation itself was as exciting and celebrated as the ribbon-cutting day? This is the question posed by Salt Lake City's former planning director Stephen Goldsmith. And he thinks making that 'what if' into reality just requires a bit of a paradigm shift. Goldsmith is the orchestrator behind the Temporary Museum of Permanent Change, a public participation project that looks to conceptualize the city and its changing character. His idea is to shift the focus away from the end-point of the physical development and towards processes of change that lead to it..."

-> In an Oct. 9th Gristmill article, Alan Durning wrote, "My youngest son had a bike wreck this summer: a driver cut him off on a steep downhill. Peter managed to avoid the car by tumbling over the curb, but the fall inflicted some nasty road rash. It also inspired me to dig into the question of bicycle safety more rigorously than before: Is it safe for Peter to be biking so much?

"Here's what I learned: Biking is safer than it used to be. It's safer than you might think. It does incur the risk of collision, but its other health benefits massively outweigh these risks. And it can be made much safer. What's more, making streets truly safe for cyclists may be the best way to reverse Bicycle Neglect: it may be among communities' best options for countering obesity, climate disruption, rising economic inequality, and oil addiction..."

-> In an Oct. 15th blog article, Janet Shamlian wrote, "Traffic was moving at the Texas speed limit, posted plus ten, when I noticed her beside me. She couldn't have been more than eighteen and was steering with her forearms, saving her hands for the keypad of her cell phone. I quickly put a lane between us, a move that hardly fixes a much bigger problem.

"Teenagers have always been our most at-risk drivers. Just 7 percent of the nation's motorists, they account for 14 percent of all fatal accidents. Easily distracted by phones and friends, they also love to text and many do it behind the wheel. According to a recent poll, half of all teens admit sending text messages while driving. Like drugs and sex, the real number is probably higher.

"The consequence is apparent in a flurry of fatal accidents this year. The one I can't get out of my head happened in upstate New York in June. Five teenage girls died. Fresh out of high school, they had it all ahead of them. Their graduation portraits, released by their anguished parents, have stayed with me. Police say the young driver sent and received text messages before crossing the center line..."

A related NBC Nightly News article can be found here:http://tinyurl.com/brgag
Search on "Driving under the influence of a keypad"

WISE PLANNING MUST STOP YIELDING TO CARS

-> In an Oct. 16th [Madison, WI] Capital Times article Bill Berry wrote, "A friend visited last week from Alberta, Canada, and he had to watch his step on the treacherous streets of this town. We walked downtown for a bite to eat, and at several intersections he found himself teetering on the curb. He looked like a guy peering over the edge of a mountain cliff. Actually, he was holding himself back as automobiles whizzed by. His habit back home in Lethbridge is to just step out into the intersection, because autos stop when they see people ready to cross. Alberta is strict about yielding to pedestrians and fining motorists who violate. America is, of course, more civil than our neighbor to the north. Civil to the automobile driver, that is.

"We have built a culture around this machine, and it's another fine fix we've gotten ourselves into. Groups advocating everything from wise land use to better public health argue for measures that will reduce reliance on the car, but their ideas are tossed aside like utopian dreams. Author Robert Putnam documented how Americans were becoming disconnected from families, friends, neighbors and communities in his book of a few years ago, 'Bowling Alone.' He could have titled it 'Driving Alone,' because that's what we do..."

-> According to an Oct. 11th Citizen-Times article, "More than 80 students from Asheville High walked to school Thursday in the school's walk to school day. Students walked from seven different sites in Asheville, including Weaver Park, Aston Park, McCormick Field, the W.C. Reid Center, Kenilworth Park, Sweet Heaven Ice Cream in Montford and Mason Muffler Services in west Asheville.

"At the farthest site, Weaver Park, about 25 students gathered to walk the 3 miles to the high school. Members of the JROTC ran from the park, and football team players walked from McCormick Field where they were joined by Allen Johnson, interim superintendent of Asheville City Schools..."

-> According to an Oct. 4th Bike Biz article, [Britain's Cyclists' Touring Club] has been awarded 4.5 million pounds from the Big Lottery Fund for its 6.3 million pound 'Cycling Champions' programme. This will promote cycling to sections of society less likely to choose cycling as a lifestyle or transport choice.

"The funding will enable CTC to employ thirteen development officers for four years, who will work with community groups and partner organisations across England. The grant also gives each area a special projects fund to help new cycling activities get underway. The BIG Lottery Fund will provide 4.5 million pounds towards the project.

"CTC Charitable Trust's Cycling Champions programme is part of a consortium of walking, cycling and health organisations being funded by the Big Lottery Fund's Well-being programme, which provides funding to support the development of healthier lifestyles and to improve well-being.

"CTC Director Kevin Mayne said: 'This funding will enable us to set up a complete development programme to support the people who champion cycling at a local level - the groups, leaders, trainers, charities, health trusts and local authorities who have great ideas for bringing cycling to their communities but need resources and support from someone like CTC to get started.'..."

We're back! Sorry we haven't been in touch for a while, we've been busy what with launching the new website and with the up and coming new film! Yes, you heard correctly. We're making another Wallace and Gromit film!

Click here http://www.wallaceandgromit.com to watch Nick talking about the new film! We've got a video blog too and our newsletter subscribers will be the first to receive special email notifications of blog updates.

And the best part? We've got 5 sets of 2 tickets to give away to the film premiere!

NATIONAL RECREATION TRAILS NOMINATIONS DUE...
-> "November 1, 2007 is the deadline to submit nominations for National Recreation Trail designation. Every year new trails are proposed to become part of the National Trails System..."http://tinyurl.com/2pwe9v

VTPI'S LITMAN DEBATES TRANS POLICY AND ENVIRONMENT
-> "A debate on 'Transportation Policy and the Environment' between Samuel Staley (Reason Foundation) and Todd Litman (Victoria Transport Policy Institute), was held at Colby College on October 8th, 2007." A Podcast of the event is available at: http://tinyurl.com/2vnrak
For more on the VTPI, go to: http://www.vtpi.org

IBF ANNOUNCES STUDENT BICYCLE ESSAY CONTEST
-> "A new Student Bicycle Essay Contest has begun. All students, worldwide, 16 years old and under, are eligible to enter of 'Bicycle Essay Contest.' The deadline is May 1st."
For more info go to: http://www.ibike.org/essays/index.htm
For more on IBF, go to: http://www.ibike.org/

PINE LAWN (MO) CERFEW LIMITS KIDS' NIGHTTIME TRAVELS
-> "No high profile crime motivated the new rules; the city just believed it was the right move. 'Why wait for a crisis to happen?' said Pine Lawn Mayor Sylvester Caldwell. 'Let's stress prevention.'..."http://tinyurl.com/yu7gqy

OAK LAWN (IL) TRAFFIC SIGNS OFFER HUMOR + MESSAGE
-> "Won't stop for a traditional sign? What if Diana Ross, in a way, pleads with you? 'STOP,' reads one. 'IN THE NAAME OF LOVE.' Or how about John Wayne? 'STOP. RIGHT THERE PILGRIM.'..."http://tinyurl.com/2g3nf6

DUBLIN (IR) BIKE RENTAL SCHEME COMES UNDER FIRE
-> "According to RTE News, the Irish planning appeals board will today open a hearing into the decision by Dublin City Council to allow large billboards be erected at key sites in return for free bicycles. The free city bikes are to be provided by outdoor advertising specialist JCDecaux..."http://tinyurl.com/39k2pm

INDONESIAN CYCLISTS GEAR UP TO PEDAL TO BALI
-> "President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to send off 15 cyclists on a 20-day trip from Jakarta to Bali ahead of a major conference on climate change..."http://tinyurl.com/2h8qza

-> "UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC..."
"...Health and the Built Environment;" prepared for the USGBC, CNU, and NRDC; by Ewing, Frank, & Kreutzer. May 2006 (4mb pdf)http://tinyurl.com/25hndl-

-> "UNDERSTANDING THE TRANSPORTATION MODELS AND..."
"...Asking the Right Questions" webinar; for FTA, the Oak Foundation, and AARP; by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership and the Center for Neighborhood Technology.http://www.transact.org

-> "TRANSPORTATION PLANNING CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM..."
"...Peer Exchange Report;" About using the new American Community Survey (ACS) data; FHWA/FTA report. (1.1mb DOC file)http://tinyurl.com/2chy6b

CALENDAR

Additional training
opportunities are available on the National Center for Bicycling &
Walking web site. Add your own items to the on-line calendar...it's quick
and easy. Please be sure your calendar items pertain to training and workshops
in the bicycle, pedestrian, or livable community fields. Go to:http://www.bikewalk.org/calendar.php

Thunderhead's Board of Directors is in search of an executive director to lead this growing and dynamic organization.

The Board of Directors' aim is to elevate the stature of our alliance and of its individual member groups on all levels--local, state and federal. Thunderhead will remain a resource to create and support local advocates, and, by better uniting our members' voices around local issues that resonate everywhere, the board aims to strengthen the call for biking and walking in capitol cities from coast to coast, raise its importance and form diverse coalitions to win increased funding and stronger policies from Washington DC that will promote and increase bicycling and walking.

The Board is seeking an executive director who possesses a strong commitment to Thunderhead's mission and goals, will work with staff to empower local advocates, build coalitions and partnerships, employ diverse advocacy approaches and techniques on the federal level, increase federal funding for biking and walking and raise significant funds to achieve these goals. The new director will work with the board and staff to ensure that Thunderhead is a go-to resource for members, funders, partners and all advocates, that it becomes a stronger network of allies working to help each other solve common problems and that this Alliance is an influential opinion-shaper among national partners, leaders, decision makers and the public.

If you have any questions about the position or the transition, please contact: Noah Budnick, board chair, at noah "at" transalt.org

-> JOB -- PROGRAM MANAGER -- BIKEWALK VIRGINIA

BikeWalk Virginia seeks a FT Program Manager for an exciting new project in Martinsville/Henry County. The Program Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive model program for integrating biking and walking into the community. Salary $60k. Full job description and application details can be found at:http://www.bikewalkvirginia.org.

Do you want more kids walking or bicycling to school? The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is hiring a Safe Routes To School program director to run an encouragement and education program directed at elementary and middle schools across the state. In-state travel required. Full-time position with health/dental insurance. Please send resume to Iowa Bicycle Coalition, P.O. Box 572, North Liberty, IA 52317. For more info, go to:http://www.iowabicyclecoalition.org.

-> RFP -- 2 CONTEXT-SENSITIVE TRANS. SOLUTIONS GUIDES -- TRB

The Transportation Research Board's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has issued a request for proposals to develop two context-sensitive solutions guides, one for citizens and one for discipline-specific professionals. The term "discipline-specific professionals" refers to individuals who participate in collaborative transportation decision-making by providing specialized information and analyses in their fields of expertise. The guides will explain roles, responsibilities, and opportunities in transportation decision-making from long-range transportation planning through operations and maintenance. PROPOSALS DUE NOVEMBER 5, 2007. For more info, go to:http://tinyurl.com/2dphrq

-> JOB -- PROJECT DIRECTOR -- PARKS & TRAILS NEW YORK

Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit based in Albany, New York, seeks a Project Director to join a team of committed, enthusiastic professionals working to improve the quality of life of all New Yorkers through the expansion, protection, and promotion of a network of parks, trails, and open spaces throughout New York State.

The Project Director helps communities develop a common vision and provides technical assistance in designing, developing, and promoting trail systems; organizes and serves as liaison to a statewide trails coalition; advocates for trail and park funding and stewardship at the local and state levels; and develops and writes print and electronic newsletters, reports, and other publications related to planning, organizing and outreach.

The Project Director is an important member of our team and has the opportunity to manage a variety of projects and develop new program directions. Competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Submit letter of interest and resume to: Project Director Search, Parks & Trails New York, 29 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207, careers@ptny.org.